I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members of Seanad Éireann for this opportunity to address the House on the outcome of the independent inquiry into matters relating to child sexual abuse.
As Members will be aware, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation discussed the report of the inquiry on 17 June 1998 and decided its full contents would be annexed to the committee's interim report on the subject of child protection in sport for submission to each House of the Oireachtas in order to facilitate immediate discussions on the implementation of the interim report's recommendations with the responsible Ministers and Ministers of State and to enable Members of each House and interested parties to submit their observations to the committee for consideration in the context of its final report. I understand observations are being sought by 29 July 1998.
Members will be aware the Government decided on 10 February 1998 that the independent inquiry would be carried out by Dr. Roderick Murphy, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The Government's decision to set up the inquiry arose directly out of concern, particularly among the swimming community, following criminal proceedings in relation to abuse by two swimming coaches. Members will be familiar with the terms of reference given to Dr. Murphy.
The inquiry heard evidence for almost three months from more than 70 witnesses, of whom 20 were swimmers, 12 were parents, seven were coaches, ten were officers of the IASA, nine were officers of the Leinster branch, 12 were officers and committee members of the named clubs and nine were professionals in the area, namely, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and academics. Some witnesses attended in dual capacity as parents and members of club committees or of the branch or association. Some swimmers gave evidence of their experience both as swimmers and as coaches. In addition, the inquiry undertook investigative work and the examination of a large number of documents, papers and correspondence from the IASA and the clubs and school most directly concerned covering, in particular, the period from 1985 to 1995.
Dr. Murphy was assisted in this work by Ms Fidelma Macken, SC, who acted as counsel to the inquiry and Ms Mary Cooney, Chief State Solicitor's Office, who acted as solicitor to the inquiry. The report was presented to me on 27 May 1998 by Dr. Murphy. The inquiry's report is broad ranging, thorough and forward looking. It is especially detailed in relation to the way in which complaints were dealt with in the swimming organisation and the procedures in place at different levels. The report provides a comprehensive list of recommendations, the majority of which relate to the Irish Amateur Swimming Association of the sport in Ireland.
The IASA was given a copy of the inquiry report on 17 June 1998 and was requested to give it urgent and immediate consideration. On Monday, 22 June, I received the executive council's initial response. This response includes the association's proposed strategy for implementation of the report's recommendations. I have indicated to the association that I am anxious they complete their proposed consultations with their wider membership who, I believe, must be satisfied as to the adequacy of procedures and arrangements in place in their organisation to secure a safe environment for its younger members.
On 27 June 1998 the president of the IASA announced the association has appointed a "Change Management" team and expert advice has been sought. The association has engaged a team of professionals who will look at the sport of swimming from top to bottom and, drawing on the recommendations of the Murphy report, prepare a new structure for the sport in Ireland. The president went on to say that over the coming months, consultations will be held with all the branches of the association to gather opinions and ideas as to how this proposed change can be best achieved.
I welcome this commitment to wider consultation and am convinced that only by involving all members at every level can confidence be restored in the sport of swimming in Ireland. Although the report makes no specific reference to the code of ethics and good practice for children's sport in Ireland, I have requested Dr. Breda McLeavey, chairperson of the expert committee which drew up the code in 1996, to reconvene the committee to review its contents in the light of the report of the inquiry. I am pleased to say that the reconvened committee held its first meeting last Friday.
In addition, the Irish Sports Council, in conjunction with the National Coaching and Training Centre, has begun planning a seminar for later this year for national governing bodies of sport. The purpose is to ensure the widest dissemination among sports organisations of the inquiry's recommendations, the outcome of the review of the code of ethics, the findings of the Joint Oireachtas Committee and, most of all, to underline once again the importance of ensuring the protection of its younger members.
A number of recommendations in the report relate to the areas of responsibility of other Departments. In particular, Dr. Murphy makes recommendations regarding the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, mandatory reporting of child abuse and education and training programmes for the establishment and verification of child sexual abuse.
Ultimately and most importantly, the recommendations of the Murphy report are a matter for the IASA and all its members, each of whom must now engage in the process of addressing the issues raised in the report. It is now also timely for all governing bodies of sport to reflect upon the lessons learnt from this most unhappy episode and to ensure our children may participate in a safe, secure and positive sporting environment in the future. I thank Senators for their attention and look forward to hearing their views on this most important issue for sport in Ireland.